Bengaluru: Hospitals and laboratories across Karnataka will be required to display the purchase prices and selling prices of medicines from November 1, Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader announced on Saturday.

The measure is intended to improve transparency in medical billing and protect patients from being overcharged by healthcare providers. Under the proposed requirement, hospitals and laboratories covered by the rule must make medicine pricing information available to patients, with the purchase price and maximum retail price (MRP) also reflected in bills.

Khader said the lack of transparency in medicine pricing had raised concerns about patients paying excessive amounts for drugs, particularly during costly treatments such as cancer care. He warned that institutions violating the requirements would face legal action.

“Patients must know the price at which medicines are purchased and the price at which they are sold,” Khader said, adding that disclosure of these details would help prevent unfair practices and safeguard consumer interests.

The minister stressed the importance of enabling patients to understand the costs associated with their treatment and identify discrepancies in medicine charges. Making pricing information accessible, he said, would help strengthen accountability in healthcare services.

Khader also drew attention to the financial strain faced by people seeking medical treatment, noting that the burden of illness was often intensified by the high cost of healthcare. He called for collective efforts by healthcare providers and other stakeholders to make medical treatment more affordable and accessible to the public.